Now that it is summer in Florida, late summer parties and the coming long weekends will inevitably mean fireworks. Fireworks have a fascinating history that goes back to ancient China, and Pyrotechnics can mean a beautiful show, but bright sparks all to often mean burn injuries and other serious personal injuries during the summer months.
In 2003 alone, an estimated 9 300 Americans were treated in hospitals for burns and other injuries resulting from fireworks. Four people succumbed to their injuries. Of those injured by fireworks each year, the majority are children. Boys between the ages of 5 and 9 are most likely to be injured and in fact about 45% of all fireworks-related injuries happen to children 14 years of age or younger.
More than half of all fireworks-related injuries are burns, although injuries to the hands, eyes, and face are also common. Lacerations and contusions are quite common with fireworks-related injuries. Plus, fireworks also contribute to residential fires and property damage as well.
According to experts, there are a number of reasons behind these types of injuries. The availability of “Class C” and “Class B” fireworks, which can ignite clothing and fly into the face of those setting the fireworks off, are widely available, even in those states that have strict restrictions against these products. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the most dangerous types of fireworks are prohibited, but they can still often be purchased. Secondly, many people who are injured by fireworks are too close to the fireworks when they explode. Among children who suffer burn injuries and other serious personal injury from fireworks, curiosity and unsupervised use of the products lead to many injuries. Children may be not agile enough to light fireworks and get to a safe distance, as well. Finally, some experimentation leads to fireworks-related injury each year. In particular, those fireworks that are home-made from several individual products can cause hazardous and unpredictable explosions that lead to property damage and injury.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the safest way to enjoy fireworks is to allow trained professionals to handle displays. Audiences are far less likely to be injured than those who actually handle the fireworks themselves. Nevertheless, if you or a loved one has been injured by a fireworks display and you believe that defective products or negligence led to injury, contact a good Florida attorney. Florida lawyers can offer you legal assistance that can ensure that you get the assistance you are entitled to by law.